St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-08-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondence

About the busiest man in this city at
present is the clerk OF the House ot
REPRESENTATIVES,, who is engaged III
looking into and preparing the contest
cd Congressional election cases, the
evidence in which must be printed be-
fore the converting of the Fiftleth con-
eress it is thought there will be only
ak such cases in the body-one each
from Alabama, South Carolina, Indiana,
and Illinois, and two from California
much smaller member than usual
The Republicans in Washington
viewed with much interest, not to say
anxiety, the late meeting and action of
the Ohio Republican State Convention;
Sherman's friends feel elated over his
victory, although many of them serious
" doubt the policy Of his course in
forcing an endorsement while Bl8ine's
followers are in rage and swear they
will get even next year by sending q
delegation from the Buckeye State IA
vorable to the aspirations of the man
from Maine. One of these Infatuated
Blaineites was heard to declare that
Sherman's action in capturing the con-
vention and shaping it, in his own in
terests was one of the most shameless
and humiliating spectacles ever wit
messed in American politics-more like
the manipulation of ii scheming ward
politician than the deliberate conduct
Of q so-called statement, seeking the
highest and most honorable station on
earth. For once | am willing to hold
up this Blaine man as true exponent
of Democratic opinion on the subject
under consideration 80, will drop the
matter right here.
Probably there are few persons who
realize the tremendous task of compil-
ing and publishing the war papers
known as the Rebellion Records the
eighteenth volume OF which has just
been printed and is ready for distribu-
ton. This volume only takes the great
work up to the year 1862; it is calcula-
ted that all of the records will make
1877 volumes and that it will not be
finished until late in the next century.
at O time when there will probably be
not one survivor of the civil strife it
commentaries.
The total receipts from all sources of
internal revenue for the late fiscal year
amount to $116,935, exceeding by
31,932,SSs that of the year before.
There was decrease in the tax on dis
titled spirits and an increase in the tax
on all other articles, such as tobacco,
oleomargerine and fermented liquors.
A showing almost as good is made i'll
regard to the imports and exports of
the United States for the same period
as follows: Exporte OF merchandise,
S71e, 7O4, 1884; imports S672.259,951; ex-
cess of exports. $24,445, 1888; gold OK
ported S9,701, 1s7 ;.imported, S42,9Os, sol;
excess of imports, $33,207 ia; silver
exported, Sss,276, 5O4 supported $780,
s91; excess of exports, s9,O36,3l3; total
number of immigrants, 4s3,116.
The jolly drummers have been halted
in their triumphant march by the ruling
of the Interstate Commission that tue
railroads cannot legally give that frater-
nifty reduced rates, but only for a mo-
ment, as the commercial traveller rea.
aizes full well that at last the consumer
Of the goods he sells must pay his ex~
penses, and so he goes on his way re-
joicing, seeking new fields of trade and
the Interstate Commission
as mo go0d,' and a "hollow fraud"
The drummer is irrepressible and moth
ing short of death can stop bis progress
or flow Of conversation.
The Navy Department has Made a
contract with the Hotchkiss Ordinance
Company, with the understanding that
established in the United States. Re-
garding the enterprise Secretary Whit
ney says: 1.-THE erection of this
manufactory will mark another era in
the reconstruction Of the Navy" Con-
einuing, the Secretary said: " MI.
Hotchkiss was an American when he
died in 1884. England, France, Ger
muny, Russia, Italy-every European
power In fact-had all establishment
for the manufacture of Hotchkiss' erdi-
nance" The Secretary further de-
clares that this country can no longer
depend upon foreign nations for war
materials
There has been new and agreeable
departure made in Military matters,
too. for the army must keep abreast of
the navy in this age of universal pro-
gress For the first time in our history,
details of companies from the regular
regimental posts have been made to
participate in the militia encampments
and Grand Army reunions in several
Of the States. The unprecedented de-
mand for the presence of regular army
officers at encampments this year
shows vigorous growth of the military
shirt and an increased interest in mill
tia organization. / wonder if the ar
nav authorities took the precaution to
ask the permission of Palsy Fairchild
and HowIer futile, before presuming
20 make these details--some for-the
Southern States.
The President and Mrs. Cleveland
have deserted the White House and are
the heated term amid the rus
&c and delightful shades of Oak View
H.. ~